Malawi govt ministries ignore Ombudsman -Report

Officials from the office of the Ombudsman have expressed great concern that over half of government ministries and departments are not complying with the determinations from the office.

Martha Mwangonde: Ombudsman

The concern is contained in an annual report the office has released.

The report says there is 58 percent compliance rate amongst government ministries and departments.

According to the report, of 12 determinations in 2011, seven government departments and ministries did not comply rising serious issues of governance and human rights.

The report singled out Malawi Revenue Authority, Malawi Defence Force and Ministry of Agriculture as some of the examples of government departments ignoring determinations by the Ombudsman, a quasi judiciary where workers in government or anyone who feels injured by the government in any way go for redress.

The determinations by the office of the Ombudsman are binding by law although rulings on compensation are usually lower than conventional courts.

The report gives an example of a soldier who was summarily dismissed by the Malawi Defence Force and he is yet to get compensation even after the Ombudsman determination.

The Ombudsman reports such government departments and ministries to parliament which summons them for a reprimand.

According to the Ombudsman office, unfair dismissals, unfair treatment and punishments in the labour industry toll the highest cases registered at their offices, signifying violation of human rights at work places.

The office of the Ombudsman has its offices in Mpico House in Mzuzu to cater for the North, St Martin’s House in Lilongwe for the Centre, Balaka in the East and Kanabar House in Blantyre for those in the South.

In our country there is no rule of law. The law is just good on paper but on the ground it is Mumbo-Jumbo business. Government should learn from SA government which ignored and mishandled the public protector’s report and recommendations. Now Zuma is in trouble because of the same ignorance. Our African governments do not adhere to human rights provisions by the constitution.